Mumbai, July 6 -- Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan on Monday appealed to people to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel as heavy rainfall continued to disrupt normal life across several parts of the state, affecting road and rail traffic and prompting authorities to remain on high alert.

"People should avoid travelling to tourist destinations for the time being and should leave their homes only when absolutely necessary. Strong winds of 70 to 90 kilometres per hour are blowing in many areas, and the Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for some places with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected today and tomorrow," Mahajan said.

Mahajan said the torrential rain had disrupted road and rail services in many p...